Pesticide carrier and products

ABSTRACT

A pesticide carrier composition including a core particle having absorbent voids and/or pores on the particle surface, and/or a rough absorbent surface, and a pesticide release material that is water soluble and is present on the surface or absorbed within the surface of the core particle; and a pesticide product further including a pesticide present in one or more of a coating on the surface of the carrier composition or mixed with the pesticide release material

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to compositions serving as a carrier forcontrolled release of pesticides and a pesticide product including boththe carrier and a pesticide. The controlled release includes a quickrelease that results in a lethal or significantly inhibiting applicationof the pesticide to the deleterious organism.

[0002] More particularly, the pesticide product comprises the carrierand a pesticide applied to the surface of the carrier or mixed with therelease material of the carrier.

[0003] Accordingly, the present new pesticide carrier and product havebeen developed to control organisms that are deleterious to plants suchas employed for agriculture, horticulture, lawns and gardens, and anyother situation where control of such organisms is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention includes a pesticide carrier compositioncomprising a core particle that is absorbent and a coated or absorbedpesticide release material. The core particles may further be coatedwith a filler/release control agent.

[0005] The present invention further includes a pesticide productcomprising the aforesaid carrier composition and a pesticide applied tothe surface of the carrier composition or mixed with the pesticiderelease material of the carrier.

[0006] The pesticide release material is water soluble so that when thepesticide product is applied to plants or soil, natural precipitation orirrigation water will solubilize the pesticide release material,providing for a controlled quick release of the pesticide over coatingor pesticide release material mixture, and thus deliver a lethal orsignificantly inhibiting application of the pesticide to one of moretypes of deleterious organisms. The quick delivery of the pesticide hasthe effect of reducing the total amount of pesticide to be effective,thus reducing costs and reducing the environmental impact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present pesticide carrier composition comprises:

[0008] (1) a core particle having (a) absorbent voids and pores at leaston the surface, or (b) having a rough, absorbent surface, and

[0009] (2) a pesticide release material that is water soluble and is onthe surface or absorbed within the surface of the core particle.

[0010] The core particle may be composed of granulated agglomeratedsmaller particles. The core particles may further be coated with afiller/release control agent (mixed or not mixed with the pesticiderelease material) to control the density of the core particle andsolubility of the pesticide release material.

[0011] The pesticide product comprises (1) the carrier composition and(2) a pesticide or pesticide composition applied to the surface of thecarrier composition and/or mixed with the pesticide release material ofthe carrier. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides andany other substance for controlling living organisms that aredeleterious to plants.

[0012] The pesticide release material is water soluble so that when thepesticide product is applied to plants, insects, soil and otherlocations of deleterious organisms, then natural precipitation orirrigation water will solubilize the pesticide release material,providing for a controlled quick release of the pesticide over coatingor pesticide release material mixture, and thus deliver a lethal orsignificantly inhibiting application of the pesticide to one or moretypes of deleterious organisms.

[0013] The preferred density of the pesticide product is a weightdensity of from 15 to 65 lb/ft³ and a more preferred weight density of20 to 40 lb/ft³ and a most preferred weight density of 20 to 30 lb/ft³.The pesticide product has a preferable size of 0.20 mm to 25 mm and amore preferable size of 1 mm to 4 mm and a most preferable size of 1 mmto 2 mm.

[0014] Core particles containing pores or voids have voids at thesurface, such that the voids at the surface are between 10-200 micronsin cross-sectional diameter, with the surface being coated in an amountpreferably of 40-100%, more preferably 75-100% and most preferably90-100% of the voids with the pesticide release material. The coreparticles include one of more of the following materials: perlite,shredded newspaper, saw dusts, cedar fines, spruce fines, hardwoodfines, limestone, zeolite, peat moss, peanut hulls, calcium carbonate,wood chips including pine chips and fines, attapulgite clay (atta clay),bentonite, vermiculite, cotton lint, ground corn cobs, corn cob flower,Metrecz absorbent and diatomaceous earth.

[0015] Release materials are water soluble and includes one or more ofthe following: ammonium sulfate, urea, di-ammonium phosphate, potassiumchloride, calcium nitrate, potassium sulfate, zinc sulfate, aluminumsulfate, magnesium sulfate, manganese sulfate, sodium nitrate, potassiumnitrate, copper sulfate, boric acid, borax (e.g., 5 mole borax), monoammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and single and triple superphosphate. Other water soluble release materials are encompassed withinthe scope of this invention, particularly those conferring a growthbenefit to plants such as a nutrient benefit.

[0016] The filler/release control agent includes the following: plantstarches, protein gels, glues, gumming compositions, crystallizingcompounds, gelling clays, and synthetic gel forming compounds; and otherplant starches, protein gels and glues, gumming products, crystallizingcompounds, gelling clays, and synthetic gel forming compounds also workas the filler/release control agent. These include but are not limitedto the following: corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, wheat starch,tapioca starch, and any starch which contains the D-glucopyranosepolymers, amylose and amylopectin; modified starch of the former listing(also including corn starch) by acetylation, ethylation, chlorination,acid hydrolysis, or enzymatic action which yield starch acetates,esters, and ethers; starch phosphate, an ester made from the reaction ofa mixture of orthophosphate salts (sodium dihydrogen phosphate anddisodium hydrogen phosphate) with any of the listed (also including cornstarch) starch/or starches; gelatin as made by hydrolysis of collagen bytreating raw materials with acid or alkali; glue as made from any of thefollowing: collagen, casein, blood, and vegetable protein such as thatof soybeans; gumming products such as cellulosics, rubber latex, gums,terpene resins, mucilages, asphalts, pitches, hydrocarbon resins;crystallizing compounds such as sodium silicate, phosphate cements,calcium-oxide cements, hydraulic cements (mortar, gypsum); gelling claysin the form of very fine powders; synthetic gel forming compounds suchas polysulfide sealants, polyethylene, isobutylene, polyamides,polyvinyl acetate, epoxy, phenolformaldehyde, urea formaldehyde,polyvinyl butyral, cyanoacrylates, and silicone cements. Plant starcheswork particularly well, especially corn and wheat starches.

[0017] The pesticide of the present pesticide product includes one ormore insecticides such as 0,0-diethyl O-(2-isopropyl-6 methyl-4pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate), one or more herbicides such as2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, one or more fungicides such asferric-di-methyl-dithiocarbamate or combination of one or moreinsecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Further examples of pesticidesand organism control substances (including selective growth regulators)are 2-(2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid;2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid; 3,6-Dichloro-o-anisic acid;Pyrethrins; 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-s-triazine; Benefin:N-butyl-N-ethyl-alpha, alpha, alpha, trifluoro-2, 6-dinitro-p-toluidine;Trifluralin: alpha, alpha, alpha, trifluoro-2, trifluoro-2, 6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine; Dithiopyr 3, 5-pyridenedicarbothiocic acid,2-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-S, S-dimethylester;Chlorpyrifos(O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl)phosphorothioate;O,O-Diethyl S-(2-(ethylthio)ethyl)phosphorodithioate;(2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxethyl)phosphonate;1-((6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl)-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine;Cyano(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate;(2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetraoxycyclo-octane); Prodiamine, (N3,N3-Di-n-propyl-2,4-nitro-6(trifluoromethyl)-m-phenylenediamine)

[0018] A further embodiment of the present pesticide product includesthe addition of one or more fertilizer compounds to the releasematerial, previously absorbed by the carrier or provided as one or moreadditional coatings. The fertilizer compounds include nitrogencompounds, phosphorous compounds and potassium compounds. The nitrogencompounds include urea, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate,calcium nitrate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, potassiumnitrate and sodium nitrate. The phosphorous compounds include diammoniumphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate, monopotassiumphosphate, dipotassium phosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, andpotassium metaphosphate. The potassium compound includes potassiumchloride, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, monopotassium phosphate,dipotassium phosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, and potassiummetaphosphate.

[0019] Similarly, additional nutrients may be added. These include allsecondary nutrients (for example, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium) andall micronutrients (for example boron, copper, iron, manganese,molybdenum, zinc), as well as growth regulators such as, but not limitedto, potassium azide, 2 amino-4-chloro-6-methyl pyrimidine, N-2,5-dicorphenyl succinamide, 4-amino-1, 2,4-triazole hydrochloride andnitrification regulators such as, but not limited to,2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine, sulfathiazole, dicyandiamide,thiourea, and guanylthiourea.

[0020] A full combined nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizercan be made by using compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium toprovide proportions of N-P-K, for example, of 29-3-4, 16-4-8, 10-10-10,15-5-10, 15-0-15, 22-3-14, 20-28-5, 35-3-9, 38-3-4 and 12-6-6. Inparticular, NPK fertilizer may contain nitrogen from urea, nitrogen andphosphorus from monoammonium phosphate and/or diammonium phosphate, andpotassium from potassium chloride in various proportions andconcentrations, and then blending the product with a filler to provideproportions of NPK for example, of 29-3-4, 16-4-8, 10-10-10, 15-5-10,15-0-15, 22-3-14, 20-28-5, 35-3-9, 38-3-4 and 12-6-6.

[0021] The carrier composition of the present invention is produced bytwo types of granulation methods. The first method includes combining aslurry of pesticide release material and water with small core particlesand granulating the mixture to form larger agglomerated particles whichare the carrier.

[0022] The second method includes overcoating large core particles witha slurry of pesticide release material and water, using a granulationmethod. The filler/release control agent may be mixed with the pesticiderelease material. A particularly useful filler/release control agent hasthe additional benefit of being a granulation aid.

[0023] While a pesticide product may be desired having a low density, itoften desirable to have a much more difficult to attain, high densityproduct. The high density product is a concentrated product, havingimproved handling characteristics and the possibility of additionallycontrolled pesticide release properties

[0024] The present invention includes a higher density product. Toproduce such a higher bulk density product, core particles of highlyabsorbent material is employed to thus absorb a high amount of releasematerial which may or may not include a filler/release control agent.

[0025] To produce the highest density product, the present inventionincludes the process embodiment of, for example, the steps of 1)introducing water to core particles of absorbent material (i.e.,absorbent particles) to result in absorption of water within theabsorbent material, 2) heating the absorbent particles and water totransform the water within the absorbent particles to steam and thusexpand the core particles, 3) introducing the heated absorbent, coreparticles to a release material which may or may not include afiller/release control agent, 4) granulating the foregoing to solidifyand harden the mixture, resulting in the agglomeration of absorbent coreparticles into carrier granules, and 5) drying the carrier granules.

[0026] Perlite, usually available and used in an expanded (i.e.,“popped”) form, is highly absorbent and may be employed as the materialof the core particles to produce the higher density, concentratedproduct.

[0027] To produce the highest density, concentrated product usingperlite, important process features of the present invention areemployed, including the following: 1) expanded (“popped”) perlite isfurther steam exfoliated beyond its normal popped form to allow betterpenetration and filling of its interspatial regions by the releasematerial either mixed or not mixed with filler/release control agent(the amount of steam exfoliation is controlled to regulate the size ofinterspatial regions and thus the density of the product); 2) solutionsand slurries of the foregoing are maintained around 30 to 98%concentration, preferably 50 to 99% concentration and most preferably 62to 99%, to minimize voids formed from evaporation during the processing(For particular carrier core particles, lesser concentrations may beemployed to control the density of the product, such as for example,when using ammonium sulfate solutions, the solution is preferably 60-70%concentration and more preferably 62 to 67% concentration); and 3) thesmall perlite particles containing release material with or withoutfiller/release control agent, are granulated together to form dense,particles.

[0028] Exfoliated and/or expanded (popped) perlites product particularlygood pesticide carrier compositions and pesticide products. The insidemicrostructure of an exfoliated and/or expanded perlite particle iscomparable to a honeycomb type arrangement; the individual cellsindicate diameters of 10 to 200 microns, with a preferred range being 25to 150 microns, and the most preferred range being 40 to 100 microns. Assuch, the exfoliated and/or expanded perlite used can have a looseweight density of from 2 to 20 lb/ft³ with a preferred range of 2 to 10lb/ft³ and a most preferred range of 2 to 6 lb/ft³.

[0029] The pesticide may be mixed in with the release material or coatedon the carrier. The pesticide may be mixed in or coated using thefollowing exemplary equipment: drum coater, pan coater, fluid-bedcoater, pugmill mixer, homogenizer, industry recognized mixers such aspin mixers and screw feeders, and other industry recognized coatingapparatuses. The pesticide may be applied to the carrier particles byany of the following exemplary methods:

[0030] 1. Apply liquid pesticide with a spray nozzle

[0031] a. Air atomizing nozzle

[0032] b. Hydraulic nozzle

[0033] c. Others

[0034] 2. Apply waxy pesticide material with a heated spray nozzle

[0035] a. Air atomizing nozzle

[0036] b. Hydraulic nozzle

[0037] c. Others

[0038] 3. Apply a sticking agent to carrier and apply over-coating ofpesticide in powder form

[0039] 4. Apply pesticides during the granulation of carrier

[0040] 5. Apply pesticides in other industry recognized methods

[0041] Pesticides may be applied in the following exemplary forms:Pesticide Form of Pesticide Lamda Meltable Solid Trimec Powder/StickingAgent Sevin Powder or Liquid Permethrin Liquid Dimension Meltable SolidBarricade Powder Atrazine Powder

[0042] When the pesticide is applied in a powder form, a sticking agentmay be applied to the surface of the carrier. Examples of stickingagents include one or more of the following: di-propylene glycol (DPG),soybean oil, starch, sugar solution.

[0043] The following examples/tests show how the present invention hastaken the above concepts and developed them into a unique pesticidecarrier and method of making and using same.

[0044] While ammonium sulfate has been employed as the release materialin specific amounts in granulation Examples 1-4, the release materialmay in general be mixed in with the core particles in an amountpreferably 1-30 wt % concentration, more preferably 2-20 wt %, and mostpreferably 4-11 wt %.

[0045] Additionally, in the following examples/tests, the followinginformation is provided to better describe employed materials:Manufacturing Particle Bulk Density Material Company Size (lb/ft3) 1440AC Corncob Green Products 0.71 mm 25 Company Conrad, Iowa SouthernYellow American Wood 0.43 mm 16 Pine 1047 Fibers Schofield, WI CedarFines American Wood 0.75 mm 8 Fibers Schofield, WI Attapolgite Claygeneric 50% less than 56 (Atta Clay) 74 micron Ammonium SulfateHoneywell, Inc. 1.28 mm 65 CO-60 Hopewell, VA K-500 ethylated GrainProcessing 78% less than 39 corn starch Corp. Muscatine IA 74 micronB810 Corn Starch Grain Processing 92% smaller 33 Corp. Muscatine IA than74 micron Midsol 50 Wheat Mid West Grain 80% less than 37 StarchProducts, Inc. 74 micron

[0046] Additionally, the -N-P-K (15-15-15) employed in the tests isproduced by Norsk Hydro ASA c/o Hydro Agri North America, Inc. Theingredients are ammonium nitrate, calcium phosphate, monoammoniumphosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), potassium sulfate.

[0047] Permethrin is((3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate).

[0048] TRIMEC™ is manufactured by PBI/GORDON Corporation, sold under theretail name of Weedout™ and is composed of dimethylamine salt of2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid, dimethylamine of2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dimethylamine salt of dicamba(3,6-dichloro-0-anisic acid).

[0049] The following types of perlite were employed:

[0050] 1. “perlite 3-S” having a median particle size of 0.36 mm byweight and bulk density of 3 lb/cubic ft;

[0051] 2. “perlite #5” having a median particle size of 2.42 mm byweight and bulk density of 6.5 lb/cubic ft; and

[0052] 3. “perlite #1” having a median particle size of 1.3 mm by weightand bulk density of 8 lb./cubic ft.

[0053] In tests where results of hardness and abrasion resistance areprovided, these measurements were determined by the following methods:

[0054] Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) (1) Crushing Test for hardnessand TVA (2) Abrasion Resistance Test for abrasion resistance, aspublished in “Physical Properties of Fertilizers and Methods forMeasuring Them”, Bulletin Y-147, October 1979, published by NationalFertilizer Development Center, TVA, Muscle Shoals, Ala.

[0055] Thus, the invention is demonstrated with reference to thefollowing examples/tests, which are of an illustrative nature only andwhich are to be construed as non-limiting. See Table 1 for test results.

EXAMPLES Examples of Processes for Making a Granular Carrier forPesticides Example 1 Pre-Mix and Drum Granulated Method

[0056] 1. Ammonium sulfate was milled to less than 0.71 mm particles.

[0057] 2. 200 grams of water were placed in a 1 liter beaker and heatedto 200° F. on a lab hotplate.

[0058] 3. While stirring the hot water using mechanical agitation, 400grams of the ground ammonium sulfate particles were slowly added toproduce a 67% solution of ammonium sulfate.

[0059] 4. agitation of the solution was continued while the temperaturewas re-heated to 200° F.

[0060] 5. the beaker was removed from the hotplate and 4.6 grams of cornstarch (B-810) were added to the ammonium sulfate solution and mixedusing a homogenizer.

[0061] 6. 26 grams of the perlite 3-S were added to the ammoniumsulfate/corn starch slurry.

[0062] 7. the perlite 3-S was thoroughly mixed with the ammoniumsulfate/corn starch in the 1 liter beaker.

[0063] 8. the slurry was added to a rolling bed of recycled granules ina lab scale drum granulator while introducing heated air to evaporatethe moisture and promote granulation.

[0064] 9. the granules were dried in the drum granulator with heated airuntil all of the particles were free-flowing.

[0065] 10. the material was removed from the lab scale drum granulatorand screened to a desired product size.

[0066] 11. the product was dried to the desired moisture concentrationin a lab scale fluid-bed.

[0067] 12. the ammonium sulfate granular carrier particles generatedusing this method would be coated with a pesticide

Example 2 Drum Over-Coating Granulation Method

[0068] 1. Ammonium sulfate was milled to less than 0.71 mm particles.

[0069] 2. 200 grams of water were placed in a 1 liter beaker and heatedto 200° F. on a lab hotplate.

[0070] 3. while stirring the hot water using mechanical agitation, 400grams of the ground ammonium sulfate particles were slowly added toproduce a 67% solution of ammonium sulfate.

[0071] 4. the solution was continued to be agitated while thetemperature was re-heated to 200° F.

[0072] 5. the beaker was removed from the hotplate and 4.6 grams of cornstarch (B-810) were added to the ammonium sulfate solution and mixedusing a homogenizer.

[0073] 6. 50 grams of perlite particles were placed in a lab scale drumgranulator and the rolling bed of material was preheated to 100-120° F.indirectly by applying heat to the drum shell.

[0074] 7. the mixture of ammonium sulfate/cornstarch was added to therolling bed of preheated perlite in a lab scale drum granulator whileintroducing heated air to evaporate the moisture and promotegranulation.

[0075] 8. the granules were dried in the drum granulator with heated airuntil all of the particles were free-flowing.

[0076] 9. the material was removed from the lab scale drum granulatorand screened to a desired product size.

[0077] 10. the product was dried to the desired moisture concentrationin a lab scale fluid-bed.

[0078] 11. the ammonium sulfate granular carrier particles generatedusing this method would be coated with a pesticide.

Example 3 Pre-Mix and Drum Granulated Method With the Addition ofAttapulgite Clay

[0079] 1. Ammonium sulfate was milled to less than 0.71 mm particles.

[0080] 2. 200 grams of water were placed in a 1 liter beaker and heatedto 200° F. on a lab hotplate.

[0081] 3. while stirring the hot water using mechanical agitation, 400grams of the ground ammonium sulfate particles were slowly added toproduce a 67% solution of ammonium sulfate.

[0082] 4. agitation of the solution was continued while the temperaturewas re-heated to 200° F.

[0083] 5. the beaker was removed from the hotplate and 4.6 grams of cornstarch (B-810) were added to the ammonium sulfate solution and mixedusing a homogenizer.

[0084] 6. 4.6 grams of attapulgite clay were added to the ammoniumsulfate/corn starch mixture and mixed using a homogenizer.

[0085] 7. 26 grams of perlite 3-S were added to the ammoniumsulfate/corn starch/attapulgite clay slurry

[0086] 8. the perlite 3-S was thoroughly mixed with the ammoniumsulfate/corn starch/attapulgite clay in the 1 liter beaker.

[0087] 9. the slurry was added to a rolling bed of recycled granules ina lab scale drum granulator while introducing heated air to evaporatethe moisture and promote granulation.

[0088] 10. the granules were dried in the drum granulator with heatedair until all of the particles were free-flowing.

[0089] 11. the material was removed from the lab scale drum granulatorand screened to a desired product size.

[0090] 13. the product was dried to the desired moisture concentrationin a lab scale fluid-bed.

[0091] 14. the ammonium sulfate granular carrier particles generatedusing this method would be coated with a pesticide.

Example 4 Drum Over-Coating Granulation Method With the Addition ofAttapulgite Clay

[0092] 1. Ammonium sulfate was milled to less than 0.71 mm particles.

[0093] 2. 200 grams of water were placed in a 1 liter beaker and heatedto 200° F. on a lab hotplate.

[0094] 3. while stirring the hot water using mechanical agitation, 400grams of the ground ammonium sulfate particles were slowly added toproduce a 67% solution of ammonium sulfate.

[0095] 4. agitation of the solution was continued while the temperaturewas re-heated to 200° F.

[0096] 5. the beaker was removed from the hotplate and 4.6 grams of cornstarch (B-810) were added to the ammonium sulfate solution and mixedusing a homogenizer.

[0097] 6. 4.6 grams of attapulgite clay were added to the ammoniumsulfate/corn starch mixture and mixed using a homogenizer.

[0098] 7. 50 grams of perlite particles were placed in a lab scale drumgranulator and the rolling bed of material was preheated to 100-120° F.indirectly by applying heat to the drum shell.

[0099] 8. the mixture of ammonium sulfate/cornstarch/attapulgite claywas added to the rolling bed of preheated perlite in a lab scale drumgranulator while introducing heated air to evaporate the moisture andpromote granulation.

[0100] 9. the granules were dried in the drum granulator with heated airuntil all of the particles were free-flowing.

[0101] 10. the material was removed from the lab scale drum granulatorand screened to a desired product size.

[0102] 11. the product was dried to the desired moisture concentrationin a lab scale fluid-bed.

[0103] 12. the ammonium sulfate granular carrier particles generatedusing this method would be coated with a pesticide.

Further Examples/Tests Tests Determining Ammonium Sulfate Solubility

[0104] Test 1:

[0105] Materials—

[0106] 150 g De-ionized H₂O

[0107] 150 g Ammonium sulfate (i.e., (NH₄)₂SO₄) fines

[0108] Process—

[0109] Heat H₂O to 200° F. and add ammonium sulfate (“AmSO₄”)whilestirring

[0110] At 225° F. the solution was taken off and poured onto a metalpan.

[0111] The solution had a poor consistency and was very liquidconsistency.

[0112] Test 2:

[0113] Materials—

[0114] 150 g De-ionized H₂O

[0115] Process—

[0116] Ammonium sulfate (“AmSO₄”)fines were added until no more AmSO₄would go in or until it was supersaturated.

[0117] began adding AmSO₄ when H₂O reached 200° F.

[0118] 200 g of AmSO₄ was initially added, then 50 g increments wereadded.

[0119] additional increments were stopped at 300 g total AmSO₄ added.

[0120] the solution was taken off heat at 215° F. and poured to a metaldrum.

[0121] the solution had a very good consistency (creamy thick, i.e., 33%H₂O and 67% AmSO₄)

[0122] Test 3:

[0123] Materials—

[0124] 150 g De-ionized water

[0125] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0126] Process—

[0127] heated water on hot plate

[0128] added AmSO₄ when water reached 200° F.

[0129] allowed stirring to continue to achieve good mixing

[0130] removed from heat at 200° F.

[0131] poured onto foil and had very good consistency at 73% AmSO₄and27% H₂O

[0132] Test 4:

[0133] Materials—

[0134] 150 g De-ionized water

[0135] 225 g AmSO₄ fines

[0136] Heat water on hot plate

[0137] Add AmSO₄ when water reached 200° F.

[0138] Allow stirring to continue to achieve good mixing

[0139] Removed from heat at 210° F.

[0140] Poured onto foil with very fluid consistency

[0141] Test 5

[0142] Materials—

[0143] 150 g De-ionized water

[0144] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0145] 4.0 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0146] Process—

[0147] heated water on hot plate

[0148] added AmSO₄ when water reached 200° F.

[0149] allowed stirring to continue to achieve good mixing

[0150] added corn starch at 200° F.

[0151] homogenized until smooth and poured onto foil at 178° F.

[0152] good smooth consistency

[0153] Test 6

[0154] Materials—

[0155] 150 g De-ionized water

[0156] 300 g AmSO₄ fines

[0157] 3.0 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0158] heated water on hot plate

[0159] added AmSO₄ when water reached 200° F.

[0160] allowed stirring to continue to achieve good mixing

[0161] added corn starch at 200° F.

[0162] homogenized until smooth and poured on foil at 178° F.

[0163] Good smooth consistency

[0164] Test 7:

[0165] Materials—

[0166] 150 g De-ionized water

[0167] 300 g AmSO₄ industrial grade crystals

[0168] Process—

[0169] heated water on hot plate

[0170] added AmSO₄ when water reached 200° F.

[0171] allowed stirring to continue to achieve good mixing

[0172] removed from heat at 200° F.

[0173] poor consistency with crystals separated out from liquid phase

[0174] Test 8

[0175] Materials—

[0176] 150 g De-ionized water

[0177] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0178] 4 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0179] 25 g Perlite 3-S (5.8%)

[0180] Process—

[0181] repeated Test 5 conditions

[0182] once corn starch was homogenized into AmSO₄ solution, perlite wasslowly stirred in

[0183] poured onto foil and placed in lab oven to dry

[0184] resulted in thick and “dry” material

[0185] Test 9

[0186] Materials—

[0187] 150 g De-ionized water

[0188] 300 g AmSO₄ fines

[0189] 3 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0190] 23 g Perlite 3-S (7.0%)

[0191] Process—

[0192] repeated of Test 6 conditions

[0193] once corn starch was homogenized into AmSO₄ solution, perlite wasslowly stirred in

[0194] poured onto foil and placed in lab oven to dry

[0195] resulted in thick and “dry” material

Granulation Tests for Producing a Carrier for Pesticides

[0196] Test 10

[0197] Materials—

[0198] 200 g De-ionized water

[0199] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0200] 4.3 g Corn starch B810 (1%))

[0201] 17 g Perlite 3-S

[0202] Process

[0203] repeated Test 9 conditions except less perlite

[0204] once corn starch was homogenized into AmSO₄ solution, perlite wasslowly stirred in

[0205] drum granulated into resulting powder with no true granuleformation

[0206] resulting material was dried and used as recycle material forTest 11

[0207] Test 11

[0208] Materials—

[0209] 200 g De-ionized water

[0210] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0211] 4.3 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0212] 17 g Perlite 3-S (4%)

[0213] Process—

[0214] repeated Test 10 conditions

[0215] employed recycle material in drum resulting from Test 10

[0216] resulted in good granule growth when slurry poured on recycle

[0217] resulted in material with bulk density of 41.9%

[0218] Test 12

[0219] Materials—

[0220] 200 g De-ionized water

[0221] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0222] 8.6 g Corn starch B810 (2%)

[0223] 17 g Perlite 3-S (4%)

[0224] Process—

[0225] doubled corn starch of Test 10

[0226] created material in drum for recycle in Test 13

[0227] Test 13

[0228] Materials—

[0229] 200 g De-ionized water

[0230] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0231] 8.6 g Corn starch B810 (2%)

[0232] 17 g Perlite 3-S (4%)

[0233] Process—

[0234] recycled material resulting from Test 12 in drum

[0235] poured slurry on rolling bed of recycle

[0236] good granule growth

[0237] resulting material had bulk density of 43.2% and hardness ofcrushing at 1.5-2 lb/ft³

[0238] Test 14

[0239] Materials—

[0240] 200 g De-ionized water

[0241] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0242] 6.7 g Corn starch B810 (1.6%)

[0243] 26 g Perlite 3-S (6%)

[0244] Process—

[0245] made slurry as in Test 13 but lower AmSO₄ and higher perlite

[0246] created recycle in drum, however, some granule growth did occur

[0247] Test 15

[0248] Materials—

[0249] 200 g De-ionized water

[0250] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0251] 6.7 g Corn starch B810 (1.6%)

[0252] 26 g Perlite 3-S (6%)

[0253] Process—

[0254] repeated Test 14 conditions

[0255] slurry was poured on rolling bed of recycle from Test 14

[0256] resulted in material that did not agglomerate as well as Test 11and 13 resulting materials

[0257] granule growth occurred, but powder appeared greater than Test 11and Test 13 results

[0258] resulting material had:

[0259] bulk density—39.7 lb/ft³

[0260] abrasion—1.13%

[0261] hardness—1.8 lb

[0262] Test 16

[0263] Materials—

[0264] 250 g De-ionized water

[0265] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (62%)

[0266] 6.7 g Corn starch B810 (1.6%)

[0267] 26 g Perlite 3-S (6%)

[0268] Process—

[0269] used same conditions as in Test 15 but changed ratio of AmSO₄ toH₂O

[0270] resulted in good granule growth

[0271] resulting material had:

[0272] Bulk density—38.6 lb/ft³

[0273] Abrasion—1.4%

[0274] Hardness—2.4 lb

[0275] Test 17

[0276] Materials—

[0277] 200 g De-ionized water

[0278] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0279] 9.2 g Corn starch B810 (2%)

[0280] 50 g Perlite #5 (10.9%)

[0281] Process—

[0282] made water, AmSO₄ and corn starch in a slurry

[0283] perlite was placed in bed of drum and slurry poured over bedwhile it was rolling

[0284] heated to dry

[0285] provided excellent granulation with very little recycle

[0286] good coating of perlite

[0287] resulting material had:

[0288] Bulk density—26.3 lb/ft³

[0289] Abrasion—0.05%

[0290] Hardness—1.8 lb

[0291] Test 18

[0292] Materials—

[0293] 200 g De-ionized water

[0294] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0295] 4.6 g Corn starch B810 (1%))

[0296] 50 g Perlite #5 (10.9)

[0297] Process—

[0298] used same conditions as in Test 17 but resulted in a thinnersolution

[0299] the resulting material had:

[0300] Bulk density—26.4 lb/ft³

[0301] Abrasion—0.07%

[0302] Hardness—1.6 lb

[0303] Test 19

[0304] Materials—

[0305] 200 g De-ionized water

[0306] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0307] 50 g Perlite #5 (11.1%)

[0308] made AmSO₄ solution and heated to 200° F.

[0309] placed perlite in drum and heated

[0310] poured AmSO₄ solution over rolling bed of perlite

[0311] added heat to dry and then placed material in lab fluid-bed tofinish drying

[0312] resulting material had:

[0313] Bulk density—29.3 lb/ft³

[0314] Hardness—2.36 lb

[0315] Abrasion—0.06%

[0316] Test 20

[0317] Materials—

[0318] 200 g De-ionized water

[0319] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0320] 26 g Perlite 3-S (6.1%)

[0321] Process—

[0322] repeated conditions of Test 16 without corn starch

[0323] Made AmSO₄ solution and heated to 200° F.

[0324] stirred in perlite

[0325] poured onto drum and granulated

[0326] dried using heat gun until free flowing

[0327] finished drying in lab fluid-bed

[0328] resulting material had:

[0329] Bulk density—35.1 lb/ft³

[0330] Hardness—1.60 lb

[0331] Abrasion—not enough resulting sample to measure

[0332] Test 21

[0333] Materials—

[0334] 200 g De-ionized water

[0335] 550 g AmSO₄ (73.3%)

[0336] 12.3 g Corn starch B810 (2%)

[0337] 50 g Perlite #5 (8.2%)

[0338] Process—

[0339] made AmSO₄ solution and it was very thick

[0340] Corn starch was homogenized into solution and the solution wasthinned out

[0341] poured onto rolling bed of perlite

[0342] pre-dried in drum and finished drying in fluid-bed resultingmaterial had:

[0343] Bulk density—34.1 lb/ft³

[0344] Hardness—2.27 lb

[0345] Abrasion—0.22%

[0346] Test 22

[0347] Materials—

[0348] 200 g De-ionized water

[0349] 550 g AmSO₄ (73.3%)

[0350] 12.3 g Corn starch B810 (2%)

[0351] 50 g Perlite 3-S (4/3%)

[0352] Process—

[0353] used same procedure as Test 21 only used perlite 3-S

[0354] poured perlite onto rolling bed and sprayed water to keep dustdown dried in drum

[0355] when slurry was poured over perlite it dried out quickly andminor granulation occurred, mostly resulting in powder

[0356] the powder was left in the drum for recycle and another slurrywas made using the same components and poured over the perlite inrolling bed

[0357] granulation occurred similar to previous tests using perlite 3-Sonly resulted in higher quantity of granules

[0358] resulting material had:

[0359] Bulk density—39.1 lb/ft³

[0360] Hardness—2.56 lb

[0361] Abrasion—0.70%

[0362] Test 23

[0363] Materials—

[0364] 200 g De-ionized water

[0365] 400 g AmSO₄ (67%)

[0366] 9.2 g Wheat starch Midsol 50 (2%)

[0367] 50 g Perlite #5 (10.9%)

[0368] Process—

[0369] employed same conditions as Test 17

[0370] placed perlite #5 in rolling bed and poured AmSO₄/wheat starchover it

[0371] very good granulation occurred

[0372] dried in fluid-bed

[0373] resulted in material having:

[0374] Bulk density—30.9 lb/ft³

[0375] Hardness—1.65 lb

[0376] Abrasion—0.24%

[0377] Test 24:

[0378] Materials—

[0379] 200 g De-ionized water

[0380] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0381] 9.2 g Corn starch B810

[0382] 50 g Perlite #1

[0383] Process—

[0384] repeated conditions of Test 17

[0385] resulted in material having:

[0386] Bulk density—27.6 lb/ft³

[0387] Test 25

[0388] Materials—

[0389] 200 g De-ionized water

[0390] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0391] 9.2 g Wheat starch Midsol 50 (1.9%)

[0392] 75 g 1047 Southern Yellow Pine Chips (15.5%)

[0393] Process

[0394] used same conditions as Test 17

[0395] pre-heated pine chips in drum

[0396] poured slurry over rolling bed

[0397] resulted in material having Bulk density 29.6 lb/ft³

[0398] Test 26

[0399] Materials—

[0400] 200 g De-ionized water

[0401] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0402] 9.2 g Wheat starch Midsol 50 (2.1%)

[0403] 20 g milled (by hammer mill) newspaper (4.7%)

[0404] Process—

[0405] used same conditions as Test 17

[0406] poured slurry over newspaper in drum

[0407] resulting material had Bulk density 32.5 lb/ft³

[0408] Test 27

[0409] Materials—

[0410] 200 g De-ionized water

[0411] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0412] 9.2 g Wheat starch Midsol 50 (1.9%)

[0413] 75 g 1440 AC corncob (15.5%)

[0414] Process—

[0415] used same conditions as Test 17

[0416] pre-heated cob in drum

[0417] poured slurry over rolling bed

[0418] resulted in material having Bulk density 34.0 lb/ft³

Products Made for Pesticide Over-Coating

[0419] Test #28

[0420] Materials—

[0421] 200 g De-ionized water

[0422] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (67%)

[0423] 4.6 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0424] 50 g Perlite #5 (10.9)

[0425] Process—

[0426] resulted in material similar to that of Test 17

[0427] however, a thinner (more dilute) solution resulted

[0428] the resulting material had:

[0429] Bulk density—28.6 lb/ft³

[0430] Abrasion—0.07%

[0431] Hardness—1.6 lb

[0432] Test #29

[0433] Materials—

[0434] 200 g De-ionized water

[0435] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0436] 9.2 g Corn starch B810 (2%)

[0437] 50 g Perlite #1

[0438] Process—

[0439] repeated the conditions of Test 17

[0440] resulting material had Bulk density—30.3 lb/ft³

[0441] Test #30-1.6% CS/6% perlite/62% AmSO₄ solution:

[0442] Materials—

[0443] 250 g De-ionized water

[0444] 400 g AmSO₄ fines (62%)

[0445] 6.5 g Corn starch B810 (1.6%)

[0446] 26 g Perlite 3-S (6%)

[0447] Process—

[0448] repeated conditions of Tests 14 and 15

[0449] resulted in good granule growth with resulting materialhaving-Bulk density—33.1 lb/ft³

[0450] Test 31:

[0451] Materials—

[0452] 397.5 g Urea (“industrial”, i.e., containing no additives such asformaldehyde)—85% solution

[0453] 52.5 g Water

[0454] 28 g Perlite #1 (8.5%)

[0455] 3.2 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0456] Process—

[0457] made 85% solution and melted on hot plate

[0458] placed perlite in drum and pre-heated

[0459] homogenized corn starch into melt

[0460] poured over rolling bed of perlite

[0461] dried to free-flowing using heat gun

[0462] resulting material had Bulk density—24.6 lb/ft³

[0463] Test 32:

[0464] Materials—

[0465] 297.5 g Urea—85% solution

[0466] 52.5 g Water

[0467] 25 g Perlite 3-S (7.6%)

[0468] 3.2 g Corn starch B810 (1%)

[0469] Process

[0470] employed same process as in Test 31 and resulted in materialhaving Bulk density—17.3 lb/ft³

[0471] Test 33:

[0472] Materials—

[0473] 297.5 g Urea—85% solution

[0474] 52.5 g Water

[0475] 35 g Cedar fines (fine milled) (10%)

[0476] 3.2 g Corn starch B810 (1%CS)

[0477] Process

[0478] employed same process as in Test 31 and resulted in materialhaving Bulk density—20.6 lb/ft³

[0479] Test 34:

[0480] Materials—

[0481] 297.5 g Urea—85% solution

[0482] 52.5 g Water

[0483] 75 g Attapolgite clay (Atta Clay) (20%)

[0484] 3.2 g Corn starch B810

[0485] Process—

[0486] employed same process as in Test 31 and resulted in materialhaving Bulk density—32.8 lb/ft³

[0487] Test 35:

[0488] Materials—

[0489] 297.5 g NPK 15-15-15-85% solution

[0490] 52.5 g Water

[0491] 28 g Perlite #1

[0492] 3.2 g Corn starch B810

[0493] Process—

[0494] made 85% solution NPK, homogenized in the corn starch, pouredover rolling bed of perlite

[0495] resulting material had Bulk density—35.1 lb/ft³

[0496] Test 36:

[0497] Materials—

[0498] 297.5 g NPK 15-15-15-85% solution

[0499] 52.5 g Water

[0500] 25 g Perlite 3-S

[0501] 3.2 g Corn starch B810

[0502] Process—

[0503] made 85% solution NPK, homogenized in the corn starch, pouredover rolling bed of perlite

[0504] resulted in material having Bulk density—34.4 lb/ft³

[0505] Test 37:

[0506] Materials—

[0507] 297.5 g NPK 15-15-15-85% solution

[0508] 52.5 g Water

[0509] 35 g Cedar fines (10%)

[0510] 3.2 g Corn starch B810

[0511] Process—

[0512] made 85% solution of NPK, homogenized in the corn starch, pouredover rolling bed of cedar fines

[0513] resulted in material having Bulk density—35.7 lb/ft³

[0514] Test 38:

[0515] Materials—

[0516] 297.5 g NPK 15-15-15

[0517] 52.5 g Water

[0518] 75 g Attapolgite clay (Atta Clay) (20%)

[0519] 3.2 g Corn starch B810

[0520] Process—

[0521] made 85% solution of NPK, homogenized in the corn starch, pouredover Atta Clay in drum

[0522] resulted in material having Bulk density—49.4 lb/ft³

[0523] Test 39:

[0524] Materials—

[0525] 200 g De-ionized water

[0526] 400 g DAP fines (milled to smaller than 0.84 mm)

[0527] 75 g Perlite #1

[0528] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0529] Process—

[0530] made solution of DAP and water on hot plate

[0531] homogenized in the corn starch

[0532] pre-heated perlite in drum

[0533] poured DAP solution over rolling bed of perlite

[0534] dried to free-flowing in drum with heat gun

[0535] resulted in material having Bulk density—31.0 lb/ft³

[0536] Test 40:

[0537] Materials—

[0538] 400 g DAP fines

[0539] 150 g De-ionized water

[0540] 35 g Perlite 3-S

[0541] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0542] Process—

[0543] used same conditions as Test 39

[0544] resulted in low viscosity material until dried in drum

[0545] resulted in material having Bulk density—37.4 lb/ft³

[0546] Test 41:

[0547] Materials—

[0548] 400 g DAP

[0549] 150 g De-ionized water

[0550] 50 g Cedar fines

[0551] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0552] Process—

[0553] used same conditions as Test 39

[0554] resulted in low viscosity material until dried in drum

[0555] resulted in material having Bulk density—33.6 lb/ft³

[0556] Test 42:

[0557] Materials—

[0558] 400 g DAP

[0559] 150 g De-ionized water

[0560] 100 g Attapolgite clay (Atta Clay)

[0561] 5.2 g Corn starch B810

[0562] Process—

[0563] used same conditions as Test 39

[0564] tended to over granulate

[0565] resulted in material having Bulk density—50.5 lb/ft³

[0566] Test 43:

[0567] Materials—

[0568] 400 g AmSO₄ (industrial grade, milled-35)

[0569] 200 g De-ionized water

[0570] 50 g Perlite #1

[0571] 4.6 g corn starch B810

[0572] Process—

[0573] repeated conditions of Test 17, except with milled crystals

[0574] resulted in material having Bulk density—30.2 lb/ft³

[0575] Test 44:

[0576] Materials—

[0577] 400 g AmSO₄ (industrial grade milled—35)

[0578] 200 g De-ionized water

[0579] 37 g Perlite 3-5

[0580] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0581] Process—

[0582] repeated conditions of Test 17, except with milled crystals

[0583] resulted in poor granulation

[0584] resulting material had Bulk density—23.2 lb/ft³

[0585] Test 45:

[0586] Materials—

[0587] 400 g AmSO₄ (industrial grade milled—35)

[0588] 200 g De-ionized water

[0589] 50 g Cedar fines

[0590] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0591] Process—

[0592] repeated conditions of Test 17, except with milled crystals

[0593] resulted in good granulation

[0594] resulting material had Bulk density—26.9 lb/ft³

[0595] Test 46:

[0596] Materials—

[0597] 400 g AmSO₄ (industrial grade milled—35)

[0598] 200 g De-ionized water

[0599] 100 g Attapolgite clay (Atta Clay)

[0600] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0601] Process—

[0602] repeated conditions of Test 17, except with milled crystals

[0603] tended to over granulate

[0604] resulted in material having Bulk density—48.6 lb/ft³

[0605] Test 47:

[0606] Materials—

[0607] 520 g 40% P₂O₅ acid (phosphoric acid)

[0608] 206 g 29% NH₄OH +25 g add at bed

[0609] 68 g Perlite #1

[0610] 4.6 g Corn starch B810

[0611] Process—

[0612] placed phosphoric acid in beaker with stirring

[0613] slowly poured in NH₄OH

[0614] continued adding NH₄OH until all was in mixture

[0615] homogenized in the corn starch

[0616] poured slurry over rolling bed of pre-heated perlite

[0617] resulted in low viscosity intermediate; required much heating toevaporate the water

[0618] added 25 g of NH₄OH to bed to dry out

[0619] dried to free-flowing granules

[0620] resulting material was a MAP substance with a Bulk density—28.7lb/ft³

[0621] Test 48:

[0622] Materials—

[0623] 200 g De-ionized water

[0624] 550 g AmSO₄ fines

[0625] 50 g Cedar fines

[0626] 6.1 g Corn starch B810

[0627] Process—

[0628] repeated conditions of Test 21 using cedar fines

[0629] resulted in thick slurry

[0630] resulting material had Bulk density—29.7 lb/ft³

[0631] Test 49:

[0632] Materials—

[0633] 225 g De-ionized water

[0634] 200 g CaSO₄·2H₂O

[0635] 200 g KCl (also known as Muriate of Potash) (milled—32)

[0636] 30 g Perlite #5

[0637] 5.0 g Corn starch B810

[0638] Process—

[0639] made slurry of water gypsum and KCL

[0640] resulted in slurry that was very thick and paste like

[0641] poured over rolling bed of perlite

[0642] tended to over granulate

[0643] resulting material had Bulk density—35.5 lb/ft³

[0644] Test 50:

[0645] Materials—

[0646] 250 g de-ionized water

[0647] 250 g KCl (milled-32)

[0648] 50 g Perlite #1

[0649] Process—

[0650] heated water to boiling

[0651] slowly added KCl with stirring

[0652] allowed slurry to reach boiling again

[0653] poured slurry over rolling bed of pre-heated perlite

[0654] dried to free-flowing with a heat gun

[0655] resulting material had Bulk density—22.9 lb/ft³

[0656] Test 51:

[0657] Materials—

[0658] 250 g De-ionized water

[0659] 250 g KCl

[0660] 50 g Perlite #1

[0661] 5 g Cornstarch B810

[0662] Process—

[0663] used same conditions as Test 50

[0664] Once slurry had reached a boil, the corn starch was homogenizedin -slurry was poured over rolling bed of pre-heated perlite

[0665] dried to free-flowing with a heat gun

[0666] resulting material had Bulk density—23.3 lb/ft³

[0667] Test 52:

[0668] Materials—

[0669] 300 g CaNO₃·5H₂O

[0670] 50 g Perlite #1

[0671] Process—

[0672] “Melted” CaNO₃·5H₂O on hot plate

[0673] poured over rolling bed of pre-heated perlite

[0674] attempted to dry with a heat gun, but when heat was added, becamevery slimy

[0675] dried at 50° C.

[0676] resulting material had Bulk density—37.5 lb/ft³

[0677] Test 53:

[0678] Materials—

[0679] 329 g Urea

[0680] 3.2 g Cornstarch B-810

[0681] 17.39 g De-ionized water

[0682] 18 g Steamed perlite 3-S

[0683] Process—

[0684] created 95% urea melt and then added green dye

[0685] homogenized in the cornstarch, then stirred in perlite

[0686] granulated in drum

[0687] resulted in material having Bulk density—26.4 lb/ft³

[0688] Test 54:

[0689] Materials—

[0690] 250 g De-ionized water

[0691] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0692] 4.6 g Cornstarch B-810

[0693] 4.6 g Attapolgite clay

[0694] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0695] Process—

[0696] heated water to 200° F. and added AmSO₄

[0697] re-heated to 200° F. and homogenized in cornstarch

[0698] added attapolgite clay and homogenized

[0699] AmSO₄ stayed suspended

[0700] added perlite and stirred

[0701] drum granulated

[0702] resulting material had Bulk density—32.5 lb/ft³

[0703] Test 55:

[0704] Materials—

[0705] 200 g De-ionized water

[0706] 400 g AmSO₄ (CO-60)

[0707] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0708] 4.6 g Cornstarch

[0709] Process—

[0710] heated water to 200° F. and added AmSO₄

[0711] added cornstarch and homogenized

[0712] added perlite

[0713] drum granulated

[0714] resulted in material having Bulk density—28.2 lb/ft³

[0715] Test 56:

[0716] Materials—

[0717] 200 g De-ionized water

[0718] 400 g AmSO₄

[0719] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0720] 4.3 g Cornstarch

[0721] Process—

[0722] heated water to 200° F. and added AmSO₄

[0723] added cornstarch and homogenized

[0724] stirred in perlite

[0725] granulated in drum

[0726] resulted in material having Bulk density—26.8 lb/ft³

[0727] Test 57:

[0728] Materials—

[0729] 200 g De-ionized water

[0730] 400 g AmSO₄

[0731] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0732] 4.3 g Corn starch

[0733] Process—

[0734] heated water to 200° F. and added AmSO₄

[0735] added cornstarch and homogenized

[0736] stirred in perlite

[0737] granulated in drum

[0738] resulted in material having Bulk density—29.5 lb/ft³

[0739] Test 58

[0740] Materials—

[0741] 200 g De-ionized water

[0742] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0743] 50 g Perlite 3-S (11%)

[0744] 2.3 g Corn starch B-810

[0745] Process—

[0746] heated water to 200° F. and added AmSO₄

[0747] reheated to 200° F. and added cornstarch (homogenized)

[0748] added perlite until no more would solubilize; added 50 grams of3-S

[0749] granulated in drum with recycle

[0750] resulted in material having Bulk density—30.2 lb/ft³

[0751] Test 59:

[0752] Materials—

[0753] 200 g De-ionized water

[0754] 400 g AmSO₄ fines

[0755] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0756] 8.7 g Corn starch K—500 (2%)

[0757] Process—

[0758] heated water to 200° F. and added AmSO₄

[0759] reheated to 200° F. and added cornstarch (homogenized)

[0760] added perlite and drum granulated

[0761] resulted in material having Bulk density—29.8 lb/ft³

Examples of Ammonium Sulfate Carrier and Mixed-In Pesticide

[0762] Test 60:

[0763] Materials—

[0764] 400 g AmSO₄ Fines

[0765] 200 g De-ionized water

[0766] 4.6 g Corn starch

[0767] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0768] 48.8 g Weed Out (18.2% Trimec Active) (8.8 g Trimec Active)

[0769] Process—

[0770] heated AmSO₄ and water to 200° F.

[0771] added corn starch and homogenized

[0772] added Weed Out and stirred well

[0773] added Perlite and stirred well

[0774] granulated in drum

[0775] dried to free-flowing

[0776] resulted in material having Bulk density—31.1 lb/ft³

[0777] Test 61:

[0778] Materials—

[0779] 400 g AmSO₄ Fines

[0780] 200 g De-ionized water

[0781] 4.6 g Corn starch (B810)

[0782] 26 g Perlite 3-S

[0783] 29.3 g Permethrin (30% Active) (8.8 g Active)

[0784] Process—

[0785] heated AmSO₄ and water to 200° F.

[0786] added corn starch and homogenize

[0787] added Permethrin and stirred well

[0788] added Perlite and stirred well

[0789] granulated in drum

[0790] dried to free-flowing

[0791] resulted in material having Bulk density—29.2 lb/ft³

[0792] Test 62:

[0793] Materials—

[0794] 200 g AmSO₄ Fines

[0795] 100 g De-ionized water

[0796] 2.8 Corn starch

[0797] 28 g Perlite #5

[0798] 26.2 g Weed Out (18.2% Trimec Active) (4.7 g Active)

[0799] Process—

[0800] heated AmSO₄ and water to 200° F.

[0801] added corn starch and homogenize

[0802] added Weed Out and stirred well

[0803] placed Perlite in drum

[0804] poured mixture over rolling bed of Perlite

[0805] dried to free-flowing

[0806] resulted in material having Bulk density—25.4 lb/ft³

[0807] Test 63:

[0808] Materials—

[0809] 200 g AmSO₄

[0810] 100 g De-ionized water

[0811] 2.8 g Corn starch

[0812] 28 g Perlite #5

[0813] 15.8 g Permethrin (30% Active) (4.7 g Active)

[0814] Process—

[0815] heated AmSO₄ and water to 200° F.

[0816] added corn starch and homogenize

[0817] added Permethrin and stirred well

[0818] placed Perlite in drum

[0819] poured mixture over rolling bed of Perlite

[0820] dried to free-flowing

[0821] resulted in material having Bulk density—26.2 lb/ft³

Examples of Ammonium Sulfate Carrier and Sprayed Pesticide

[0822] All pesticides were Permethrin

[0823] All products coated to 0.5% pesticide

[0824] Conditions of Tests A-D

[0825] Test A:

[0826] 1.36 g Pesticide

[0827] 98.6 g Batch (using the preceding described Test 29)

[0828] 5 psi spray pressure

[0829] Test B:

[0830] 1.36 g Pesticide

[0831] 98.6 g Batch (using the preceding described Test 17)

[0832] 5 psi spray pressure

[0833] Test C:

[0834] 1.36 g Pesticide

[0835] 98.6 g Batch (using the preceding described Test 24)

[0836] 5 psi spray pressure

[0837] Test D:

[0838] 1.36 g Pesticide

[0839] 98.6 g Batch (using the preceding described Test 30)

[0840] 5 psi spray pressure

[0841] The pesticide was sprayed using a peristaltic pump and airpressure using a 2850 air-atomizing nozzle. The material was coated in adrum to 0.5% pesticide.

[0842] All resulted in a good pesticide product.

Comments Regarding Performance of Tests and Test Results

[0843] All of Tests 1-9 employed ammonium sulfate because of its goodsolubility and pH which is neutral to most pesticides. Tests 1-9 wereperformed without granulation of the final mixture. All of Tests 1-9included the addition of ammonium sulfate to 200° F. water whilestirring to achieve a good mixture of AmSO₄ and water. Tests 1-9 enabledthe determination of solution concentrations of ammonium sulfate andwater that could be handled on a practical basis. Tests were conductedat 50, 60, 67, and 73 percent concentrations of ammonium sulfate inwater.

[0844] Tests 5 and 6 provided for determining the mixtures which couldbe used with added corn starch at 1% of solids which was homogenizedinto the ammonium sulfate solution/slurry at both 67 and 73%. Theresults were successful in both cases.

[0845] In Tests 8 and 9, perlite was successfully mixed into thesolution/slurry of corn starch, ammonium sulfate, and H₂O, at ammoniumsulfate concentrations of both 67 and 73%.

[0846] Test 7 was performed to determine if use of large industrialgrade crystals of ammonium sulfate could be used without grinding thelarge crystals. This did not work very well because they settled out ofthe slurry. Later tests employing ground (milled) crystals weresuccessful. See tests 43 through 46.

[0847] Based on the results of Tests 1-9, additional tests wereperformed to see, if in particularly, ammonium sulfate could beincorporated with or without starch onto perlite while granulating thecombination in a manner such that a pesticide incorporated andgranulated with it or later sprayed on the outside surface of theresulting granules would be quickly available (released). Note thatcedar fines contain a natural pesticide.

[0848] Two types of granulation were examined:

[0849] 1) In Tests 10 through 16 and 20, the perlite was mixed withpreviously homogenized ammonium sulfate and corn starch (with theexception of Test 20, where no starch was employed) and then granulatedby pouring it onto a rolling bed in a drum.

[0850] 2) In Tests 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, and 24, the starch washomogenized and then poured on pre-heated perlite introduced to therolling bed prior to pouring on the mixture. Test 19 used only ammoniumsulfate (and no starch), which was poured onto the rolling bed ofperlite particles for granulation.

[0851] The tests determined ranges of successful embodiments of thepresent invention, for example using concentrations of corn starch of 1,1.6, and 2% and perlite concentrations of approximately 4, 6, 8.2, 9.2,and 11%. Ammonium sulfate concentrations of 62, 67, and 73% were used.Perlite size was also varied to include 3 grades with particles ofmedian size by weight of 0.36 mm, 1.3 mm, and 2.4 mm. All of the testsshowed good success; however, the presence of recycled product in thegranulation drum from previous granulation tests were found particularlydesirable for good granulation. Excellent results occurred when theperlite was pre-heated and placed in a rolling bed and thesolution/slurry poured over it. As shown in Test 17, conditions forexcellent granules were 11% perlite, 67% ammonium sulfate concentration,both 1.3 mm and 2.4 mm sized perlite and 2% corn starch. However, evenwithout starch, the tests were successful, as shown in Test 19. Wheatstarch was found to be a good substitute for corn starch, as shown inTests 23, 25, 26, and 27.

[0852] Additional tests were performed to verify the success of otherembodiments of the present invention, using other absorbent materials,including finely ground yellow pine chips (Test 25), milled newspaper(test 26), and ground corn cobs (Test 27). All were successful whengranulated in the same manner as, for example in Test 17. The millednewspaper yielded a very good product, because less weight (of thenewspaper) was required to obtain a fairly low density (32 lb/ft³)product.

[0853] Test 28 repeated Test 17, but employed 1% corn starch instead of2% corn starch. This resulted in a little higher bulk density product,28.6 lb/ft³ (Test 28) instead of 26.3 lb/ft³ (Test 17). Test 29 employedsmaller perlite particles (1.3 mm) instead of perlite particles of 2.4mm and resulted in a granule bulk density of 30.3 lb/ft³.

[0854] In Test 30, corn starch was employed in an amount of 1.6%;perlite content was 6%; and ammonium sulfate solution/slurry was 62%.The perlite was mixed into the solution/slurry prior to granulation,similar to Test 15, but yielding a lower bulk density product because ofusing the 62% ammonium sulfate solution/slurry.

[0855] Because all of the products granulated well, tests were performedto determine how the products would act as a pesticide carrier. SeeTests A, B, C and D. Thus, 0.5% of Permethrin was sprayed on theparticles in a rotating drum. The pesticide was sprayed using aperistaltic pump and pneumatically atomized using a Spraying Systems2850 air atomizing nozzle with 5 psi air pressure. The materials sprayedand coated were those made in Tests 17, 24, 29, and 30. Thus, each testused 1.36 g of diluted pesticide, which was sprayed on 98.6 g ofcarrier. The pesticide applied well and the resulting granules were freeflowing and demonstrated good physical handling characteristics, with noproblems such as caking or granule deterioration.

[0856] Other carrier compositions were tested using the primaryingredients of urea (see Tests 31, 32, 33, 34); NPK (15-15-15), (seeTests 35, 36, 37, 38); diammonium phosphate (see Tests 39, 40, 41, 42);and milled industrial grade ammonium sulfate (see Tests 43, 44, 45, 46).In addition, cedar fines were tested as core particles of the carrierwhich contains a natural pesticide (see Tests 33, 37, 41, and 45).Attapolgite clay was employed in Tests 34, 38, 42, and 46. All resultedin good product.

[0857] Other tests were conducted to determine the feasibility of usingdiammonium phosphate (see Test 47), cedar fines with 73% ammoniumsulfate (see Test 48), and a combination of gypsum and KCl, with a 50%solution concentration (see Tests 49, 50, 51). CaNO₃·5H₂O was melted andmixed with perlite and then poured onto a rolling bed to successfullymake granular material suitable for a carrier (see Test 52).

[0858] In test 53, perlite, at 5%, was pre-steamed and stirred into ahomogenous mixture of 1% corn starch, 95% urea solution, and a greendye. The mixture was granulated in a rotary drum.

[0859] In tests 54 through 57, the feasibility of using ammonium sulfate(CO-60, Honeywell) obtained as a by-product of caprolactam productionwas determined. No granulation difficulties were encountered using thepremix of perlite method of granulation either by the inherentimpurities of this ammonium sulfate or the proprietary anti-caking agentused by the manufacturer of the ammonium sulfate. Granulation of thematerial using this ammonium sulfate was considered equal or better topure or industrial grade ammonium sulfate.

[0860] In test 58, caprolactam by-product ammonium sulfate (CO-60,Honeywell) was used with only 0.5% corn starch and 11% perlite stirredinto the mixture before it was granulated in a rolling bed in a drum.Again granulation was good, as was the case in Test 59, when ethylatedcorn starch (K-500) was used at 2% by weight of the carrier productinstead of the previously used modified corn starch. Once again in Test59, the ammonium sulfate was a caprolactam by-product

[0861] Several herbicide and insecticide carrier materials were producedutilizing two methods of drum granulation techniques. The firstgranulation technique performed during these tests is referred to as thepre-mix and drum granulation method. In Tests 60 and 61 ammonium sulfatecarrier granules were produced by the following procedure.

[0862] Test #60

[0863] Approximately 200 grams of de-ionized water was heated to 200° F.Finely ground ammonium sulfate crystals was added (400 grams) to thewater to produces a 67% solution/slurry. Corn starch (B810) was added(4.6 grams) (1% by weight) to the ammonium sulfate solution/slurry andhomogenized to produce a homogenous mixture.

[0864] Approximately 2% active agent herbicide was added to the ammoniumsulfate and corn starch solution/slurry to perform Test 60. Theherbicide contained TRIMEC. TRIMEC is composed of dimethylamine salt of2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid, dimethylamine of2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dimethylamine salt of dicamba(3,6-dichloro-0-anisic acid). The herbicide was added to the slurry andstirred. Perlite 3-S was incorporated into the solution slurry ofammonium sulfate, water, cornstarch, and herbicide and stirred toproduce a homogenous mixture. The mixture was poured into a drumgranulator to promote granulation of the material. Hot air was blowninto the granulation drum to remove the moisture of the mixture untilthe particles were free flowing and granules were formed. The granuleswere removed from the granulation drum and placed in a lab oven at 125°F. for further drying.

[0865] Test #61

[0866] Approximately 200 grams of de-ionized water was heated to 200° F.Finely ground ammonium sulfate crystals was added (400 grams) to thewater to produces a 67% solution/slurry. Corn starch (B810) was added(4.6 grams) (1% by weight) to the ammonium sulfate solution/slurry andhomogenized to produce a homogenous mixture.

[0867] Approximately 2% active agent insecticide was added to theammonium sulfate and corn starch solution/slurry to perform Test 61. Theinsecticide was Permethrin((3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate).The insecticide was added to the slurry and stirred. Perlite 3-S wasincorporated into the solution slurry of ammonium sulfate, water,cornstarch, and insecticide and stirred to produce a homogenous mixture.The mixture was poured into a drum granulator to promote granulation ofthe material. Hot air was blown into the granulation drum to remove themoisture of the mixture until the particles were free flowing andgranules were formed. The granules were removed from the granulationdrum and placed in a lab oven at 125° F. for further drying.

[0868] The second granulation technique performed during these tests isreferred to as the drum over-coating granulation method. In Tests 62 and63 ammonium sulfate carrier granules were produced by the followingprocedure.

[0869] Test #62

[0870] Approximately 200 grams of de-ionized water was heated to 200° F.Finely ground ammonium sulfate crystals were added (400 grams) to thewater to produces a 67% solution/slurry. Corn starch (B810) was added(4.6 grams) (1% by weight) to the ammonium sulfate solution/slurry andhomogenized to produce a homogenous mixture.

[0871] Approximately 2% active agent herbicide was added to the ammoniumsulfate and corn starch solution/slurry to perform Test # 62. Theherbicide contained TRIMEC. TRIMEC is composed of dimethylamine salt of2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid, dimethylamine of2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dimethylamine salt of dicamba(3,6-dichloro-0-anisic acid). The herbicide was added to the slurry andstirred.

[0872] Perlite #5 was added (28 grams) to the drum granulator andpreheated to aid in granulation and moisture removal of the mixture. Theslurry/solution of ammonium sulfate, water, corn starch, and TRIMEC waspoured onto the rolling bed of perlite. Hot air was blown into thegranulation drum to remove the moisture of the mixture until theparticles were free flowing and granules were formed. The granules wereremoved from the granulation drum and placed in a lab oven at 125° F.for further drying.

[0873] Test #63

[0874] Approximately 200 grams of de-ionized water was heated to 2000F.Finely ground ammonium sulfate crystals were added (400 grams) to thewater to produces a 67% solution/slurry. Corn starch (B810) was added(4.6 grams) (1% by weight) to the ammonium sulfate solution/slurry andhomogenized to produce a homogenous mixture.

[0875] Approximately 2% active agent insecticide was added to theammonium sulfate and corn starch solution/slurry to perform Test 63. Theinsecticide was Permethrin((3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate).The insecticide was added to the slurry of ammonium sulfate, water, andcorn starch and stirred.

[0876] Perlite #5 was added (28 grams) to the drum granulator andpreheated to aid in granulation and moisture removal of the mixture. Theslurry/solution of ammonium sulfate, water, corn starch, and Permethrinwas poured onto the rolling bed of perlite. Hot air was blown into thegranulation drum to remove the moisture of the mixture until theparticles were free flowing and granules were formed. The granules wereremoved from the granulation drum and placed in a lab oven at 125° F.for further drying.

[0877] Particles produced in Tests 60-63 were placed in a petri dish andsubmerged with de-ionized water and visually observed with a laboratorystereoscope to identify the initial release characteristics of thepesticide carrier granules. Visual observations of the granules thatwere submerged in water showed rapid particle breakdown, presumablyenhanced by the release of stored energy within the particles. Thisparticle breakdown increased the surface area of the inoculatedmaterials containing the pesticide (herbicide or insecticide) by 2 to 10times the surface area of the starting particles. Thus, excellent, fastpesticide release characteristics were observed. TABLE 1 PESTICIDECARRIER GRANULATION TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS SOLU- STARCH TION AB-BULK TEST NUTRIENT CONC STARCH CONC ABSORBENT SORBENT DENSITYGRANULATION # TYPE (%) TYPE (%) TYPE CONC (%) (#/FT3) METHOD COMMENTS 10AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 4 N/A PRE-MIXED/DRUM POOR GRANULATIONGRANULATION 11 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 4 41.9 PRE-MIXED/DRUMGOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 12 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 2 PERLITE 3-S 4 N/APRE-MIXED/DRUM POOR GRANULATION GRANULATION 13 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 2PERLITE 3-S 4 43.2 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 14 AmSO4FINES 67 CORN 1.6 PERLITE 3-S 6 N/A PRE-MIXED/DRUM POOR GRANULATIONGRANULATION 15 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1.6 PERLITE 3-S 6 39.7 PRE-MIXED/DRUMGOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 16 AmSO4 FINES 62 CORN 1.6 PERLITE 3-S 638.6 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 17 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN2 PERLITE #5 10.9 26.3 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 18AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE #5 10.9 26.4 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOODGRANULATION GRANULATION 19 AmSO4 FINES 67 N/A 0 PERLITE #5 11.1 29.3DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 20 AmSO4 FINES 67 N/A 0PERLITE 3-S 6.1 35.1 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 21AmSO4 FINES 73 CORN 2 PERLITE #5 8.2 34.1 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOODGRANULATION GRANULATION 22 AmSO4 FINES 73 CORN 2 PERLITE 3-S 4.3 39.1DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 23 AmSO4 FINES 67 WHEAT 2PERLITE #5 10.9 30.9 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 24AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 2 PERLITE #1 10.9 27.6 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOODGRANULATION GRANULATION 25 AmSO4 FINES 67 WHEAT 1.9 PINE CHIPS 15.5 29.6DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 26 AmSO4 FINES 67 WHEAT 2.1NEWS- 4.7 32.5 DRUM OVERCOAT/ FAIR PAPER GRANULATION GRANULATION 27AmSO4 FINES 67 WHEAT 1.9 CORNCOB 15.5 34.0 DRUM OVERCOAT/ FAIRGRANULATION GRANULATION 28 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE #5 10.9 28.6DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 29 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 2PERLITE #1 10.9 30.3 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 30AmSO4 FINES 62 CORN 1.6 PERLITE 3-S 6 33.1 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOODGRANULATION GRANULATION 31 UREA 85 CORN 1 PERLITE #1 8.5 24.6 DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 32 UREA 85 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 7.617.3 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 33 UREA 85 CORN 1 CEDAR10 20.6 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD FINES GRANULATION GRANULATION 34 UREA 85CORN 1 ATTA CLAY 20 32.8 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 35NPK 85 CORN 1 PERLITE #1 8.5 35.1 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD (15—15—15)GRANULATION GRANULATION 36 NPK 85 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 7.7 34.4 DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD (15—15—15) GRANULATION GRANULATION 37 NPK 85 CORN 1 CEDAR10.4 35.7 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD (15—15—15) FINES GRANULATION GRANULATION38 NPK 85 CORN 1 ATTA CLAY 20 49.4 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD (15—15—15)GRANULATION GRANULATION 39 DAP FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE #1 15.6 31.0 DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 40 DAP FINES 73 CORN 1 PERLITE3-S 8 37.4 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 41 DAP FINES 73CORN 1 CEDAR 11 33.6 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD FINES GRANULATION GRANULATION42 DAP FINES 73 CORN 1 ATTA CLAY 19.8 50.5 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOODGRANULATION GRANULATION 43 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE #1 11 30.2 DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD (IND) GRANULATION GRANULATION 44 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1PERLITE 3-S 8.4 23.2 DRUM OVERCOAT/ POOR (IND) GRANULATION GRANULATION45 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 CEDAR 11 26.9 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD (IND) FINESGRANULATION GRANULATION 46 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 ATTA CLAY 19.8 48.6DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD (IND) GRANULATION GRANULATION 47 MAP SLURRY N/A CORN1 PERLITE #1 19.6 28.7 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 48AmSO4 FINES 73 CORN 1 CEDAR 8.3 29.7 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD FINESGRANULATION GRANULATION 49 KCl/ 64 CORN 1 PERLITE #5 6.9 35.5 DRUMOVERCOAT/ GOOD CaSO4.2H2O GRANULATION GRANULATION 50 KCl 50 CORN 1PERLITE #1 16.7 22.9 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD (MURIATE) GRANULATIONGRANULATION 51 KCl 50 CORN 1.6 PERLITE #1 16.4 23.3 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD(MURIATE) GRANULATION GRANULATION 52 CaNO3.2H2O 100 CORN 1 PERLITE #1 4337.5 DRUM OVERCOAT/ GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 53 UREA 95 CORN 1PERLITE 3-S 5.1 26.4 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD GRANULATION GRANULATION 54AmSO4 FINES 62 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 6.0 32.5 PRE-MIXED/DRUM 1% ATTA CLAY(HW) GRANULATION WITH CS 55 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 6.0 28.2PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD (HW) GRANULATION GRANULATION 56 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN1 PERLITE 3-S 6.0 26.8 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD (HW) GRANULATION GRANULATION57 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 6.0 29.5 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD (HW)GRANULATION GRANULATION 58 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 0.5 PERLITE 3-S 11.1 30.2PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD (HW) GRANULATION GRANULATION 59 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN2 PERLITE 3-S 6.0 29.8 PRE-MIXED/DRUM GOOD (HW) GRANULATION GRANULATION60 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 5.9 31.1 PRE-MIXED/DRUM 2% TRIMECACTIVE (HW) GRANULATION AGENT 61 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE 3-S 5.929.2 PRE-MIXED/DRUM 2% PERMETHRIN (HW) GRANULATION ACTIVE AGENT 62 AmSO4FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE #5 11.9 25.4 DRUM OVERCOAT/ 2% TRIMEC ACTIVE(HW) GRANULATION AGENT 63 AmSO4 FINES 67 CORN 1 PERLITE #5 11.9 26.2DRUM OVERCOAT/ 2% PERMETHRIN (HW) GRANULATION ACTIVE AGENT

[0878] While only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention havebeen described in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthere are many possible variations and modifications which may be madein the exemplary embodiments while yet retaining many of the novel andadvantageous features of this invention. Accordingly, it is intendedthat the following claims cover all such modifications and variations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pesticide carrier composition comprising: acore particle having at lease one of absorbent voids and pores at leaston the surface, and a rough absorbent surface; and a pesticide releasematerial that is water soluble and is at least one of, present on thesurface or absorbed within the surface of the core particle.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the core particles are composed ofagglomerated smaller particles.
 3. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe core particles include a filler/release control agent present as acoating or mixed with the pesticide release material.
 4. The compositionof claim 2 wherein the filler/release control agent is one of cornstarch and wheat starch.
 5. The composition of claim 2, wherein thefiller/release control agent is a coating on the pesticide releasematerial.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the core particlescontain pores or voids, such that the voids at the surface are between10-200 microns in cross—sectional diameter.
 7. The composition of claim6, wherein the surface has a coating of pesticide release material in anamount wherein 40-100% of the voids contain the pesticide releasematerial.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the core particlesinclude a material selected from the group consisting of perlite,shredded newspaper, saw dusts, cedar fines, spruce fines, hardwoodfines, limestone, zeolite, peat moss, peanut hulls, calcium carbonate,wood chips including pine chips and fines, attapulgite clay (atta clay),bentonite, vermiculite, cotton lint, ground corn cobs, corn cob flower,Metrecz absorbent and diatomaceous earth.
 9. The composition of claim 1,wherein the pesticide release material includes a material selected fromthe group consisting of ammonium sulfate, urea, di-ammonium phosphate,potassium chloride, calcium nitrate, potassium sulfate, zinc sulfate,aluminum sulfate, magnesium sulfate, manganese sulfate, sodium nitrate,potassium nitrate, copper sulfate, boric acid, borax (e.g., 5 moleborax), mono ammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and single andtriple super phosphate.
 10. The composition of claim 2 wherein thefiller/release control agent is a material selected from the groupconsisting of plant starches, protein gels, glues, gumming compositions,crystallizing compounds, gelling clays, and synthetic gel formingcompounds; and other plant starches, protein gels and glues, gummingproducts, crystallizing compounds, gelling clays, and synthetic gelforming compounds also work as the filler/release control agent.
 11. Thecomposition of claim 2, wherein the filler/release control agent is amaterial selected from the group consisting of corn starch, rice starch,potato starch, wheat starch, tapioca starch, and any starch whichcontains the D-glucopyranose polymers, amylose and amylopectin; starchesmodified by acetylation, ethylation, chlorination, acid hydrolysis, orenzymatic action which yield starch acetates, esters, and ethers; starchphosphate, an ester made from the reaction of a mixture oforthophosphate salts (sodium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium hydrogenphosphate) with starches; gelatin as made by hydrolysis of collagen bytreating raw materials with acid or alkali; glue as made from collagen,casein, blood, and vegetable protein including from soybeans; gummingproducts such as cellulosics, rubber latex, gums, terpene resins,mucilages, asphalts, pitches, hydrocarbon resins; crystallizingcompounds including sodium silicate, phosphate cements, calcium-oxidecements, hydraulic cements, mortar, gypsum; gelling clays in the form ofvery fine powders; synthetic gel forming compounds including polysulfidesealants, polyethylene, isobutylene, polyamides, polyvinyl acetate,epoxy, phenolformaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, polyvinyl butyral,cyanoacrylates, and silicone cements.
 12. The composition of claim 1,wherein the pesticide release material contains fertilizer includingcompounds selected from the group consisting of nitrogen compounds,phosphorous compounds and potassium compounds.
 13. The composition ofclaim 12, wherein the nitrogen compounds are selected from the groupconsisting of urea, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, calciumnitrate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, potassium nitrateand sodium nitrate.
 14. The composition of claim 12, wherein thephosphorous compounds are selected from the group consisting ofdiammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, calcium phosphate,monopotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, tetrapotassiumpyrophosphate, and potassium metaphosphate.
 15. The composition of claim12, wherein the potassium compounds are selected from the groupconsisting of potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate,monopotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, tetrapotassiumpyrophosphate, and potassium metaphosphate.
 16. The composition of claim1, wherein the pesticide release material contains secondary nutrientsincluding compounds selected from the group consisting of sulfur,calcium, and magnesium.
 17. The composition of claim 1, wherein thepesticide release material contains micronutrients selected from thegroup consisting of boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, andzinc.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the pesticide releasematerial contains growth regulators selected from the group consistingof potassium azide, 2 amino-4-chloro-6-methyl pyrimidine, N-2,5-dicorphenyl succinamide, 4-amino-1, 2,4-triazole hydrochloride. 19.The composition of claim 1, wherein the pesticide release materialcontains nitrification regulators selected from the group consisting of2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine, sulfathiazole, dicyandiamide,thiourea, and guanylthiourea.
 20. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe pesticide release material contains a combinednitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer in the proportionsselected from the group consisting of 29-3-4, 16-4-8,10-10-10, 15-5-10,15-0-15, 22-3-14, 20-28-5, 35-3-9, 38-3-4 and 12-6-6.
 21. Thecomposition of claim 8, wherein the perlite is exfoliated/expandedperlite having cell diameters of 10 to 200 microns.
 22. The compositionof claim 8, wherein the perlite is exfoliated/expanded perlite having aloose weight density of from 2 to 20 lb/ft³.
 23. A pesticide productcomprising: a pesticide carrier composition comprising: a core particlehaving at lease one of absorbent voids and pores at least on thesurface, and a rough absorbent surface, and a pesticide release materialthat is water soluble and is at least one of, present on the surface orabsorbed within the surface of the core particle; and a pesticidepresent in one or more of a coating on the surface of the carriercomposition or mixed with the pesticide release material.
 24. Thepesticide product of claim 23, wherein the pesticide product has aweight density of from 15 to 65 lb/ft³.
 25. The pesticide product ofclaim 23, wherein the pesticide product has a size of 0.20 mm to 25 mm.26. The pesticide product of claim 23, wherein the pesticide is selectedfrom the group consisting of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.27. The pesticide product of claim 23, wherein the pesticide is selectedfrom the group consisting of 0,0-diethyl O-(2-isopropyl-6 methyl-4pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid;ferric-di-methyl-dithiocarbamate; 2-(2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionicacid; 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid; 3,6-Dichloro-o-anisic acid;pyrethrins; 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-s-triazine; N-butyl-N-ethyl-alpha,alpha, alpha, trifluoro-2, 6-dinitro-p-toluidine (benefin); alpha,alpha, alpha, trifluoro-2, trifluoro-2, 6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin); Dithiopyr 3,5-pyridenedicarbothiocic acid,2-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-methylpropyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-S, S-dimethylester;chlorpyrifos(0,0-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl)phosphorothioate;0,0-Diethyl S-(2-(ethylthio)ethyl)phosphorodithioate;(2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxethyl)phosphonate;1-((6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl)-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine;cyano(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate;(2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetraoxycyclo-octane); and (N3,N3-Di-n-propyl-2,4-nitro-6(trifluoromethyl)-m-phenylenediamine)(Prodiamine).
 28. The pesticide product of claim 23, further including acoating of fertilizer including compounds selected from the groupconsisting of nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds and potassiumcompounds.